LAG BEFORE WICKET

Zak's latest lapse bugs Vaughan

- BY DAVID CHARLESWORTH and RORY DOLLARD

ON A day when supporters vented their frustration at ground staff and umpires over an early end to the opening exchanges, Michael Vaughan was left just as perplexed by Zak Crawley.

The former England captain admitted the tourists' opening batsman “frustrates the life out of me” and pinpointed his concentration levels as the overriding weak spot in his game.

Crawley bounced back from a pair in Perth and sat atop England's run charts in this Ashes series ahead of the fifth Test, albeit averaging 32, fractionally higher than his modest career mark.

He appeared at ease in Sydney on the first morning, initially showing good judgement. However, he then played all around a Michael Neser nip-backer to be lbw for 16 as England lurched to 57-3, needing a partnership from Joe Root and Harry Brook to rescue the day.